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(No Model.) 7 SheetsSheet 1.

J. RUSGOE. APPARATUS FOR CHARGING GAS RETORTS. No. 476,685." Patented June 7, 1892.

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J. RUSGOE. APPARATUS FOR CHARGING GAS RETORTS.

No. 476,685. Patented June 7, 1892.

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(No Model.) 7 Sheets$heet 3.

J. RUSGOE.

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING GAS RETORTS..

No. 476,685. Patented June I, 1892.

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(No Model.) 7 SheetsSheet 4.

J. RUSCOE,

APPABATUS FOR CHARGING GAS RBTORTS. No. 476,685. Patented June 7, 1892.

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( l.) A 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

'J. RUSCOE.

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING GAS RBTORTS.

No. 476,685. Patented June 7. 1892.

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(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet; 6.

J. RUSOOE. APPARATUS FOR CHARGING GAS RETORTS.

No. 476,685. Patented June '7, 1892.

iNVENTOR F'iGI (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

J. RUSGOE. APPARATUS FOR GHARGING GAS RETORTS. No. 476,685 Patented June '7, 1892.

WITNESSES 'INVENTOR MAMA-55% 3 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RUSCOE, OF HYDE, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR CHARGlNG GAS-RETORTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,685 dated. June '7, 1892.

Application filed November 2]., 1890. Serial No, 372,258. (No model.) Patented in England November 13, 1889, ll'ox 18,108

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN RUSCOE, of Hyde, in the county of Chester, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas-Retorts, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent of Great Britain, No.18,1OS, bearing date November 13, 1880,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the apparatus employed in mechanically charging gas-retorts; and it is designed with the object of simplifying the working parts, of constructing the scoop so that the delivery of the coal from it, even in large lumps, will be performed so as to reduce to a minimum the shock to the body of the retort, and of arranging the driving so that the several movements of the charging-scoop may be easily performed and be under the complete control of the attendant.

The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rear or driving end of the gas-retort-charging apparatus; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the front or charging end of the apparatus; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the rear or driving end in section; Fig. 4, a side elevation of front end in section; Fig. 5, an end elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 6, a plan of rear or driving end; Fig. 7, a plan of front end; Fig. 8, an enlarged transverse sectional elevation of charging-scoop. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating details of clutch-controlling devices.

The principal or main frame A is built up in the usual way, preferably in the form of a rectangular tower, from iron of angle, T, or channel shape riveted or bolted together. It is open in the center to allow for the upward and downward movements of the chargingscoop O and is, as customary, supported on four wheels E, running on rails F, which are laid in front of' the gas-retorts, in connection with which the apparatus has to work.

The principal improvements lie in the scoop C and in the arrangements for driving the scoop forward into the retorts and discharging and withdrawing it.

The scoop O is constructed in two separate parts, placed one above the other, capable of independent movement, the bottom part c forming the bottom of the scoop and the top part the two sides. The top part consists of two longitudinal side pieces 0', deep enough to hold the required quantity of coal to charge the retort at one operation, braced or connected together by bows or cross-pieces c. The cross-pieces 0" also divide the scoop in divisions or chambers O, which receive the coal with which the retort is to be charged. To the rear end (the end farthest away from the retort) of the upper part c of the scoop is attached a carriage G, which supports the scoop C as it is projected forward into the retort. This carriage G is constructed of two side pieces 9, of fiat or angle iron, braced together, which carry two or more pairs of rollers or runners g. The side pieces g may form a continuation of the sides 0 of the scoop or may be constructed separately and attached thereto by bolts or rivets.

A frame H, which I will call a se00pframe, is constructed of angle or channel iron 72,, one at each side of the scoop G, extending the entire length of the frame A, in which the rollers g run to and fro. The scoop-frame H thus serves to support the scoop-carriage G, and with it the upper part c of the scoop C, in any position as it moves to and fro into or out of the gas-retort. Below the scoop-frame H and attached to it or carried by it on stationary axes or studs are a number of rollers or runners g, which support the bottom part c of the scoop or on which it rests. The bottom 0 of the scoop is constructed of channel-iron in one piece or built up into channel-section from plates or angles or other convenient sections of iron or steel. The two sides of the bottom part 0 stand up beside and embrace the side pieces 0', which are free to move inside and independently thereof.

lVhen the scoop C is at rest and ready to be loaded or filled with coal, it is in the form of a channel, and the two parts of it c and c are together projected forward into the retort to charge it. To empty the scoop and deposit the coal in the retort, the bottom part c is first withdrawn, and as it moves backward the contents of the several divisions C are dropped into the retort, the several crosspieces 0 of the upper part c preventing the coal being carried back again, after which the upper part c of the scoop is drawn back to its original position. 7

During the operation of charging the re tort motion is given direct to the bottom part c of the scoop, and from it is conveyed to the upper part 0, so that the movement of the upper part is made to be dependent upon the lower part. As the lower part c is caused to advance (by mechanism hereinafter fully described) an upward projection I of T or other suitable section afiixed thereto comes in contact with or engages with a similar downward-projecting piece I, affixed to the scoopcarriage G, and the two parts forming the scoop C are carried forward together the full distance required to extend to the back of the gas-retort. hen this position has been reached, a pair of small tumblers or pawls 2' drop into recesses i or behind projections formed on the sides and front end of the scoop-frame II.

Under the scoop O and attached to the scoop-frame II is a small frame J, upon bearings in which rotate two pairs of chain-pulleys jj. The bearings of the chain-pulleys j are stationary, while the bearings which carry the chain-pulleys are movable to and fro in a slide J, formed in the frame J.

XVhen the withdrawing movement is conveyed through the chain S to the bottom act the scoop C, the top part c is retained by the pawls or tumblers 2" until the bottom 0 has been withdrawn a given distance. The tumblers or pawls L' are then raised or released by the chain T at the same time the projecting piece j, aflixed to the bottom of the bottom part 0, comes in contact with a lug or born 3'' on each sliding bearing of the chain-pulleys j, and they are carried back therewith. By means of a chain T, passing around the pulleysjj, as soon as the backward movement of the pulleys j takes place the top part c of the scoop O is drawn back at a quicker speed than the bottom part c, and the two come to rest in their original position at the same time.

The scoop-frame H is held suspended in the frame A and is raised or lowered by the chains or ropes O O.

The main driving mechanism forgiving the required motion to the several parts of the apparatus is placed on the top of the frame A and is actuated by a continually-moving main driving-band K, preferably a cotton rope, which runs overhead across the entire apparatus in a line parallel to the face of the retort-mouthpieces in the retort-house. The main driving-band K is driven at a quick speed and communicates motion to the pulley K, against which it is held by the two guide-pulleys 7);. As the driving-band K passes over a drum or pulley at each end of the retort-house, it is always taut, irrespective of the position of or any movement of the frame A or of any of the mechanism supported thereby. The first-motion shaft k, to which the rope-pulley K is keyed or otherwise attached, is preferably vertical and transmits movement to the second-motion shaft L by means of a bevel-wheel 7e, keyed thereon, and two bevel-wheels ZZ, placed facing each other and loose on the shaft L. The two bevel-wheelsl Z on the second-motion shaft L are always in gear with the bevel-wheel 7c on the first-1110- tio'n shaft Between the two bevel-wheels H on. the second-motion shaft L is a sliding friction-clutch L, which engages with a clutch-box formed in the face of each of the bevel-wheels. The clutch Lis provided with a key or feather in the shaft L, so that if brought into contact with the bevel-wheel Z the shaft is rotated in one direction and it brought into contact with the bevel-wheel Z the shaft L is rotated in the opposite direction, or by being kept in'a central position the second-motion shaft may be kept still while the first-motion shaft is continually running. The secondmotion shaft L has attached to it other mechanism, which serves to distribute the power for the following pur poses, viz: to raise and lower the scoop in the frame A, to propel the scoop into and withdraw it from the retorts, and to move the entire mechanism on the rails F from one place to another in the retort-house. For this purpose on the shaft L are placed loosely a worm M and bevel-wheel M, each provided with a clutch-box face, and moving on a key or feather in the same shaft is a friction-clutch m, which can be thrown into gear or connection with either the worm M or the bevelwheel M.

For raising orlowering the scoop O a wormwheel N is geared with the worm M on the second-motion shaft L. The worm-wheel N is keyed to a cross-shaft it, upon which are fixed two rope or chain barrels N, upon which wire ropes or chains may be wound. Attached to each barrel are two wire ropes O and O. The ropes Oone from each barrelpass horizontally forward to the front of the machine over guide-pulleys and the ropes O'one from each barreldescend vertically therefrom. The four ropes are connected, respectively, to the four corners of the scoop-frame II by means of the adjusting-screws 0.

For projecting the scoop 0 forward into the retorts and drawing it back again motion is conveyed from the second-motion shaft L by the bevel-wheel M thereon to the cross-shaft 1) through the double bevel-wheel P. The double bevel-Wheel P also gears with another bevel-wheel P, affixed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 19. The function of the vertical shaft 1) is twofold; but at present it will only be described with reference to the forward-anctbackward movement of the scoop C. The vertical shaft 1) is throughout its length slotted with a groove or keyway. Journaled or supported in a bracket 7' of the scoopframe H is a worm R, with a key fixed therein, through which the vertical shaft 1) passes and to which it conveys its motion. The worm R gears with a worm-wheel R, aifixcd toashaft 1', carried in the brackets r on the scoopframe H, which I shall call the scoop-shaft, and on it is placed a chain-wheel '1, which drives a chain 5. Both ends of the chain S are connected to a bracket 3, affixed to the bottom part c of the scoop, and then pass in opposite directions over the chain-wheel r on the scoop-shaft r and over the carrierchain pulley s on the shaft .5, supported in brackets at the front end of the scoop-frame H. A movement of the chain in either direction carries with it the bottom part c of the scoop. A second chain T is attached to a counterbalanced or weighted lever T on the spindle 2%, carrying the tumblers '1', and passes backward over a chain-carrier pulley if, and thence under the scoop carriage and scoopframe to the chain-pulleysj j, previously described, and after passing round each of these pulleys the end is affixed to the frame J at some convenient point.

To move the machine from one place to another in the retort-house, the vertical shaft 1) communicates through a worm U, aflixed to it atits lower end, with and gives motion to the shaft 2 of one pair of the wheels E, which run on the rails 13. The worm U gears with the worm-wheel U, which is connected with the shaft u by means of the clutch n and the shaft a is connected to the shaft (2 by means of the bevel-wheels u" and a. The vertical shaft 1) thus serves to move the scoop backward and forward, and also to move the apparatus from one retort to another. The two movements are applied by the clutches 7" and a, in connection with the worms R and U and worm-wheels It and U,which can be thrown into and out of gear. To prevent the two clutches being thrown into gear at the same time, they are connected together by levers o and rods r, connected to the foot of a vertical rod V, to the top of which is attached the connecting-lever o.

The hand-levers V, W, and X serve to throw into and out of gear the several parts of the mechanism which perform the different operations.

The hand-lever I, through the levers w and connecting-rods w, throws the clutch L on the second-motion shaft L into contact with either of the bevel-wheels Z Z, whereby the motion in either direction is obtained for any part of the mechanism, and by this handlever the direction of motion is reversed. This arrangement of rods and levers is the same as that shown in Fig. 9 for moving the other clutch. The hand-lever X, through the connectinglevers and rods scar, moves (shown in detail in Fig. 9) the clutch m into contact with either the worm M or bevel-wheel M to lift or lower the scoop, or through the vertical shaft 1) to move the scoop into or out of the retort, or the apparatus from one retort to another, and the handle V controls the clutches in connection therewith and its movement determines which of these movements shall take place,but prevents both from being carried out at the same time.

In order to make the reversing movement of the scoop for withdrawing it from the retort automatic, the chain Y is connected to a lever Y, which, by a connecting-rod 'y, is coupled to a horizontal rod y, supported by one of the angles h. This rod has a projecting finger y, against which a moving part of the scoop C, projecting at 31, comes in contact when the scoop has passed the required length into the retort. The movement of the chain Y raises the rod w and reverses the clutch L in the bevel-wheelsll, and the projection y, attached to the scoop, comes in contact with the end of the rod y and pushing it again reverses the clutch L or moves it into a central position.

The coal may be supplied to the scoop C by means of a hopper (not shown) affixed to the top of the frame A in the usual way, and the hopper may be kept filled by a traveling conveyer while the scoop charges the retorts.

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a retortcharging apparatus, the scoop frame H, in combination with the sectional scoop-frame J, slides J, fixed pulleys j, pulleys j, journaled in sliding bearings, and chain T, extended around said pulleys and attached to the side section of the scoop.

2. In combination with the carriage G, the chargingscoop consisting of the longitudinally and independently movable sections mounted in and sustained at one end by the carriage, and the projections II, mounted on the respective sections of the scoop and arranged to engage one with the other, whereby one section is enabled to advance the other.

3. In a retort-charging apparatus,the scoopsustaining frame, in combination with the scoop composed of independently-movable side and bottom sections provided with in= tel-acting projections I I on the respective IIO sections that the bottom may advance the sides therewith, and locking-pawls 2' to temporarily hold the sides during the retreat of the bottom.

4C. In a retort-charging mechanism, the combination of the scoop composed of independently-movable sections, in combination with its sustaining-frame H, the driving-chain S, attached to the bottom of the scoop, its sustaining-pulleys, the chain T for retracting the sides of the scoop, the fixed pulleys j and t, and the traveling pulleys j.

5. In a retort-charging apparatus, the combination, with the scoop C, the scoop-carriage G, and scoop-frame H, of the frame J, the sliding chainpulleys j j, the projecting pieces j, affixed to the scoop-bottom c, the lugs 31", attached to the bearings of the sliding pulleys j, and the chain T, extending around the pulleys, substantially as described.

ed gearing between the same and the driving-shaft, a Worm-gear on the movable frame, connections between said gear and the scoop for actuating the latter, and a sliding worm on the vertical shaft for actuating the Wormgear, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN RUSCOE.

\Vitnesses:

I. OWDEN OBRIEN, WILLIAM H. TAYLOR 

